Cutting tool cartridge arrangement

ABSTRACT

A cutting-tool cartridge arrangement for rotary cutting-tools in which the cutting-tool cartridge assembly is mountable in a aperture provided in the body member of the cutting-tool. The cutting-tool cartridge assembly has a split bushing for insertion into the aperture in the body member of the tool and the bushing is annular in shape, has internal threads and has a slot in the wall thereof extending from the threaded inside surface to the outside surface to provide a pair of opposed surfaces resiliently movable towards and away from each other. A set screw aperture is provided in the body member of the tool into which a set screw may be inserted and tightened against the split bushing. The stud seat having external threads is threaded into the split bushing and the stud seat also has a cutting insert end having matching walls that match the wall configuration of the mounting walls of a frustum cutting insert. A clamping nut threadingly engages the threaded walls of the stud seat at the cutting insert end thereof and has internal walls configured to match the flank surface of the frustum cutting insert. Tightening the clamping nut on the stud seat clamps the frustum cutting insert therebetween. Adjustment to the position of the insert may be made by threading the stud seat in or out of the split bushing until the cutting surface of the cutting insert is at the desired location. The set screw is then tightened to force the opposed walls of the slot in the split bushing means towards each other thereby clamping the threads of the split bushing on to the external threads of the stud seat to prevent any further movement or rotation of any portion of the cartridge assembly, including the insert during cutting operation of the cutting-tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the cutting tool art and more particularly toan improved cartridge insert arrangement for a rotary cutting tool.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Rotary cutting tools are, of course, very well known in the art. Suchcutting tools as milling machines, lathes, boring tools, planing toolsetc. have long been utilized in the material shaping field. Such cuttingtools generally have one or more cutting inserts mounted thereon androtation of the cutting tool causes the cutting insert to engage theworkpiece and cut a predetermined amount of material therefrom. In suchcutting tools, many are provided with means for adjusting the positionof the cutting insert with respect to a nominal or "zero" plane. Wheremore than one cutting insert is utilized on the tool it is desirable tohave all of the cutting inserts adjusted to the same position withrespect to the zero plane. Such adjustment, of course, is also desiredin cutting tools in which only a single cutting insert is provided.

Such adjustments in the past have generally not provided the degree ofaccuracy that is desired. For example, in some rotary cutting tools thecutting inserts in their mounting cartridges could only be adjusted whenremoved from the cutting tool. In others, the cartridges could only beadjusted to ±0.0002 inches. This comparatively large tolerance farexceeds that which is desired in many applications.

Additionally, in many applications it is also desired to provideadjustment of the cutting insert or inserts towards and away from thecenter line of rotation of the cutting tool. Many cutting tools did nothave any such radial adjustment capability and, with those that do, thetolerance range for such radial adjustments was often no better than theabovementioned 0.0002 inches achieved for the so called axialadjustments towards and away from the zero plane.

Additionally, in some machining operations it is desired that thecutting insert of the cutting tool remain stationary with respect to itsown center line. That is, it is preferred that the only rotation beprovided by the rotation of the cutting tool and that the cutting insertis stationary or fixed with respect thereto. In other machiningoperations it is desired that the cutting insert also rotate about itsown axis during the rotation of the cutting tool about the cutting toolaxis. Heretofore there has not in general been provided a completelysatisfactory cutting tool arrangement in which both a fixed cuttinginsert or a rotating cutting insert may be installed and interchanged asdesired for particular machining operations. Further, it is oftendesired to change the physical size of the cutting insert depending uponthe maching operation being performed. Cutting tools heretoforeavailable have, in general, not been able to accept cutting inserts ofmore than one size.

In many of the heretofor available cutting tools, it has been acomparatively time consuming task to make the necessary adjustment ofthe cutting insert or inserts towards and away from the zero plane andor comparatively complex cartridge arrangements for holding the cuttinginsert have been utilized with the consequent increase in cost andreliablity associated with larger numbers of components.

Therefore, there has long been a need for an improved cartridge assemblyfor a cutting insert in a rotary cutting tool that provides a highdegree of precision in adjustment of the cutting insert, suchadjustments may be quickly and easily made while the cutting insert isinstalled on the cutting tool both rotating and fixed cutting insertsmay be utilized interchangably, and that a comparatively small number ofparts be utilized in order to provide a higher degree of reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a object of the present invention to provide animproved cutting tool cartridge arrangement for rotary cutting tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcutting tool cartridge assembly that allows high precision adjustment ofthe cutting insert while the cartridge assembly is mounted in thecutting tool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting toolcartridge arrangement for a rotary cutting tool that has comparativelyfew parts and has a high degree of reliability.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a improvedcartridge assembly for retaining a cutting insert in a rotating cuttingtool and in which both a rotating and nonrotating insert may beinstalled in the same rotating cutting tool as desired.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved,according to a preferred enbodiment thereof, in a fixed cutting toolcartridge by having an annular bushing means that has a predeterminedaxis, a first end and a second end axially spaced from the first end,and an outside surface. The outside surface is mountable in anappropriately configured aperture in a rotating cutting tool. Therotating cutting tool may have one or more such apertures for receivinga cartridge of the present invention. The annular bushing has a threadedinside surface and a slot is provided in the wall of the annular bushingextending from the outside surface to the threaded inside surface andfrom the first end to the second end. This slot provides a pair ofspaced apart walls which are resiliently movable towards and away fromeach other. The resiliency of the movement is, of course, determined bythe material of which the split bushing means is fabricated. Suchmaterial may of course be steel or any other desired material suitablefor the purpose.

The rotating cutting tool is also provided with a set screw apertureadjacent to and comunicating with the aperture or appertures whichreceive the cutting tool cartridge. A set screw is positionable thereinand bears against the outer surface of the split bushing means to movethe spaced apart walls towards each other to provide a clamping actionas decribed below in greater detail.

A stud seat means which has a threaded outside surface is mountable inthe split bushing means for threading engagement with the inside surfacethereof. The outer end of the stud seat means is provided with internalwalls having a contour matching the mounting walls of a cutting insertmeans.

The cutting insert means is generally a frustum type cutting insert andin general is similar to the cutting inserts of my Pat. No. 4,621,955.Such a cutting insert has a medial plane and a flank surface extendingfrom the medial plane and tapering inwardly towards the axis of thecutting insert to the cutting edge of the cutting insert. On theopposite side of the medial plane the cutting insert has a mountingsurface also tapering inwardly towards the axis. In some embodiments ofthe present invention the cutting insert is reversible so that themounting surface becomes the flank surface and the flank surface becomesthe mounting surface. The cutting insert is mountable in the stud seatmeans for engagement of the mounting surface of the cutting insert withthe matching wall surface of the stud seat means.

A clamping nut means has an internal thread at the inner end thereof forthreading engagement with a thread on the outer surface of the stud seatmeans in regions adjacent the region in which the cutting insert ismounted. The clamping nut is also provided with internal walls on itsouter end for engagement with the flank surface of the cutting insert.Tightening of the clamping nut clamps the cutting insert between theclamping nut and the stud seat means and thus prevents any relativemovement of the cutting insert means with respect to both the stud seatmeans and the clamping nut. Axial adjustment of the cutting edge of thecutting insert may be made by loosening the set screw and rotating theassembly of the cutting insert, clamping nut and stud seat means untilthe desired axial position of the cutting insert cutting edge isobtained. The set screw is then tightened causing the opposed walls ofthe split bushing means to move towards each other. This provides aclamping action of the threads of the split bushing means with thethreads of the stud seat means and prevents any relative motion of thestud seat means with respect to the split bushing means.

In some other embodiments of the present invention it is desireable toprovide a coolant flow at the cutting edge of the cutting insert. Insuch an embodiment the cutting tool is provided with a coolantdispensing system of conventional design. The cutting insert cartridgeof the present invention is provided with appropriate coolant flowchannels. Such coolant flow channels may, for example, comprise asubstantially axial aperture extending through the stud seat means toprovide communication at the inner end thereof with the coolantdispensing system of the tool. At the outer end of the stud seat meanschannels are provided in the matching surface and communicating with theaxial aperture in the stud seat means. The generally annular space isprovided between the outer surface of the stud seat means at the outerend thereof, a small region of the cutting insert at the medial planethereof, and the inner surface of the clamping nut. This generallyannular space communicates with the channels in the matching surface ofthe stud seat means. Channels are also provided in the clamping surfaceof the clamping nut that engages the flank surface of the cutting insertmeans and these channels in the clamping surface communicate with theabove mentioned generally annular space to allow coolant to flow in suchchannels and impinge upon the cutting edge of the cutting insert whereit cuts the material of the work piece.

If it is desired to index the cutting insert so that a different portionthereof is to do the cutting, the set screw is left in the tightenedcondition and the clamping nut is loosened, for example, a quarter turn.This loosens the clamping action so that the cutting insert may beindexed any desired number of degrees. The clamping nut is thenretightened.

By selecting various sizes of clamping nuts and cutting inserts andselecting appropriate sized stud seat means having matching walls tomatch the size of the cutting insert, a plurality of different sizedcutting inserts may be interchangeably mounted in the same cutting toolsince the inner end of the stud seat means may have the same threaddiameter for engagement with the inner threaded surface of the splitbushing means.

It has been found that axial alignment of the cutting edge may bequickly and easily done with a high degree of accuracy according to theprinciples of the present invention. The set screw, as noted above, isloosened and the remainder of the cartridge assembly is rotated therebymoving the cutting insert cutting edge. The accuracy of positioning hasbeen found to be on the order of plus or minus 0.000050 inches,approximately an order of magnitude better accuracy than some prior artcutting tool arrangements.

In another embodiment of the present invention a rotating cutting insertis provided which can be mounted interchangeably in the same cuttingtool as the above described fixed cutting insert.

In other embodiments of the present invention a cutting tool cartridgearrangement is provided in which the cutting insert means rotates aboutits axis during the rotation of the cutting tool about the cutting toolaxis during the machining operation. In such an embodiment the splitbushing as above described is the same and is insertable into anappropriately sized aperture in the body of the cutting tool. Thus,since the split bushing is the same, it will be appreciated that bothrotating and non-rotating cutting inserts may be used interchangeably asdesired in the same cutting tool. In the rotating cutting insert of theembodiment, a bearing means having external threads is inserted into thesplit bushing means for threading engagement with the internal threadsthereof and the bearing means has an internal bearing surface extendingfrom the outer end to the inner end and tapering inwardly from the outerend towards the axis of rotation at the inner end. A spindle meanshaving a tapered external bearing surface is mounted in the bearingmeans and the external bearing surface of the spindle means rotatablyengages the internal bearing surface above the bearing means. The innerend of the spindle means has retentive means for retaining the spindlein bearing relationship to the bearing means. The external end of thespindle means has external threads and cutting insert matching surfaceinto which a cutting insert may be positioned so that the cutting insertmatching surface engages the mounting surface of the cutting insert. Thecutting insert may be identical to the above described cutting insertutilized in the non-rotating embodiment described above.

A clamping nut which may be the same as the clamping nut described abovefor the non-rotating embodiment, threadingly engages the externalthreads on the spindle means and has a clamping surface for engagementwith the flank surface of the cutting insert to clamp the cutting insertbetween the clamping nut and the spindle means.

Retaining means, such as a snap ring, may be utilized in both therotating and non-rotating cutting insert embodiments to retain the splitbushing means and the body member of the cutting tool.

In the rotating cutting insert embodiment, coolant flow may also beprovided by appropriate coolant flow passages. In one embodiment anaxially extending coolant flow passage is provided through the spindlemeans from the inner end to the outer end. Coolant then flows throughchannels in the matching surface of the spindle means and throughappropriate channels in the clamping surface of the clamping nut asdescribed above.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention in which the cuttinginsert also rotates, the split bushing means is preferably restrainedfrom rotary motion in the aperture of the cutting tool during thecutting operation. Thus, there may be provided a short portion of weldbetween the split bushing and the body member of the tool for apermanent installation.

In some applications of the present invention it is also desirable toprovide both radial as well as axial adjustment. Such radial adjustmentcan be achieved by providing that the internal threads of the splitbushing means are along an axis that is parallel to but spaced apartfrom the axis of the external surface of the bushing means. In such anembodiment rotation of the stud seat means or the spindle means in thethreading engagement with the internal threaded surface of the splitbushing means results in radial movement of the cutting insert becauseof the eccentric mounting of the stud seat means or spindle means withrespect to the center line of the bushing which corresponds to thecenter line of the aperture in the cutting tool. Appropriate pinion geardrive means may be included in the tool means to provide a desiredrotation of the split bushing means with such an eccentric mounting inorder to provide the radial adjustment. Such rack and pinion type driveis well known in the art and can also be used to lock the bushing inplace to prevent rotation of the bushing in, for example, the embodimentof the present invention in which the cutting insert also rotates.

It will be appreciated also that the size of the cutting insert may bevaried by varying the size of the clamping nut and the outer end ofeither the spindle of the stud seat means while providing, in suchstructure, the same external threads at the inner end for mounting inthe split bushing means. Thus, various size cutting inserts may beutilized as desired in the same cutting tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of the present invention may be more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description taken together withthe accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer tosimilar elements throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cutting tool incorporatingcutting tool cartridge according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a planned view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a cutting tool cartridge assemblyaccording to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the installation of the cutting toolcartridge assembly of FIG. 3 in a cutting tool;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a component useful in thepractice of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a component useful in thepractice of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the embodiment of FIG. 7 installed ina cutting tool;

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an end view of another embodiment of a cutting insert usefulin the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention as installed in a cutting tool;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the presentinvention as installed in a cutting tool;

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of a component useful inthe practice of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a cutting insertuseful in the practice of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4thereof, there is described a preferred embodiment generally designated10 according to the principles of the present invention. In theembodiment 10 the present invention is illustrated as incorporated in aface mill cutter generally designated 12 having a body member 14. Itwill be appreciated that the illustration of the present invention in aface mill cutter application as illustrated in the embodiment 10 is notlimiting on Applicant's invention. Rather, Applicant's invention may beutilized in any cutting tool in which there is relative cutting movementbetween the cutting tool and the work piece such as lathes, planers,drilling machines, or the like. In the embodiment 10 the cutting tool 12is provided with a plurality and as illustrated the plurality is 5, ofcutting tool cartridge arrangements generally designated 16 according tothe principles of the present invention. Each cutting tool cartridge 16is mounted in a cutting tool cartridge receiving aperture generallydesignated 20 in the body member 14 of the tool 12. Each of the cuttingtool cartridges 16 is generally comprised of five separate components: aannular split bushing means 22, a stud seat means 24, a frustum cuttinginsert means 26, a clamping nut 28 and a set screw 30. The annular splitbushing means 22 has a predetermined axis generally designated 32, aninner or first end surface generally designated 34 and an outer orsecond end surface generally designated 36. The annular split bushingmeans 22 also has an outside surface 38 and a threaded inside surface40. The annular split bushing means 22 has a pair of spaced apart wallsgenerally designated 41 defining a slot generally designated 42extending axially from the first end surface 34 to the second endsurface 36 and radially from the threaded inside surface 40 to theoutside surface 38. For purposes as hereinafter described, the pair ofspaced apart walls 40 have a limited resilient movement towards and awayfrom each other. Such limited resilient movement is provided, in thisembodiment of the present invention, by the characteristics of thematerial, such as steel, from which the split bushing means 22 isfabricated.

The stud seat means 24 is mountable in the split bushing means 22 andhas a mounting end generally designated 44, an insert end generallydesignated 46, an outside surface generally designated 48 which has athreaded first portion as indicated by the reference FIG. 50 extendingfrom the mounting end 44 a predetermined distance towards the insert end46. The threaded outside surface 48 is also provided with a secondportion generally designated 52 which extends from the insert and 46towards the mounting end 44. In the cutting tool cartridge 16 thethreads are the same in first portion 50 and second portion 52. Thefirst portion 50 is threaded for threading engagement with the internalthreaded surface 40 of the split bushing means 22. The insert end 46 ofthe stud seat means 24 also has an internal cutting insert matching wallsurface generally designated 54.

The frustum cutting insert means 26 may, as noted above, be similar tothe conical insert described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,955. As such, thecutting insert means 26 is mountable in the insert end 46 of the studseat means 24 adjacent the matching surface 54 thereof. The cuttinginsert means 26 has a medial plane generally designated 56, a cuttingedge end 58 and a mounting end 60 which is spaced axially from thecutting edge end 58. The cutting insert 26 has a external flank surfacegenerally designated 62 tapering inwardly from the medial plane 56towards the axis 32 at the cutting edge end 58. Similarly, the cuttinginsert 26 also has a mounting surface generally designated 64 taperinginwardly towards the axis 32 from the medial plane 56 to the mountingend 60.

It will be appreciated that the cutting insert means 26 may be "doubleended". That is, the mounting end 60 may also be provided with a cuttingedge 66 that is the same as the cutting edge 68 at the cutting edge end58. The cutting insert means 26, in such an embodiment, is, therefore,symmetrical about the medial plane 56. However, for convenience ofdescription, the portion of the cutting insert means 26 which is mountedin the stud seat means 24 adjacent the matching wall 54 is referred toas the mounting end 60 having the mounting surface 64. The matchingsurface 54 is contoured to match the taper of the mounting surface 64.

The clamping nut 28 mounts on the insert end 46 of the stud seat means24 and has a stud seat means end generally designated 70 and a clampingend generally designated 72 and first walls generally designated 74extending from the stud seat means end 70 and defining an internalthreaded surface 74 for threading engagement with the second portion 52of the threaded external surface 48 of the stud seat means 24. Theclamping nut means 28 also is provided with second walls generallydesignated 76 extending from the clamping end 72 towards the stud seatend 70 and defining and internal clamping surface generally designated78 for clamping engagement with the flank surface 62 of the cuttinginsert means 26.

The cutting insert means 26 may be positioned in the stud seat means 24by positioning the mounting surface 64 adjacent the matching surface 54and the clamping nut 28 may be installed on the stud seat means bythreading engagements of the threaded surface 74 with the first portion52 to ridgely clamp the cutting insert means 26 between the clamping nutmeans 28 and the stud seat means 24. As shown more clearly in FIG. 4,the split bushing means 22 may be inserted into the cutting insertcartridge receiving aperture 20 of the body member 14 of the tool 12 andthe set screw 30 may be inserted to engage the outside surface 38 of thesplit bushing means 22 to prevent rotation thereof. The assembly of theclamping nut 28, cutting insert 26 and stud seat means 24 may then bethreaded into the split bushing means 40 to the desired depth thereof.

According to the principles of the present invention the set screw 30may then be tightened against the outside surface 38 of the splitbushing means 22 causing the opposed walls 41 to move towards eachother. Such movement of the opposed walls 41 towards each other forcesthe threads of the threaded surface 40 into extremely tight clampingengagement with the threads of the external threaded surface 48 in thefirst portion 50 of the stud seat means 24. It has been found that suchclamping engagement between the threads provides an extremely highclamping force to prevent any relative movement between the stud seatmeans 24 and the split bushing means 22 during operation of the cuttingtool 12.

In some embodiments of the present invention it may be desirable toinsert the stud seat means 24 into the split bushing means 22 before theinstallation of the clamping nut means 28 and cutting insert means 26.In order to provide such a threading insertion of the stud seat mans 24into the split bushing means 22 the stud seat means 24 may be providedwith internal walls generally designated 80 defining an internal hexwrench flats for receiving a hex wrench to allow tightening of the studseat means 24 into the split bushing means 22. In such an embodiment theentire assembly of the stud seat means 24, split bushing means 22,cutting insert means 26 and clamping nut means 28 may be assembled andinstalled in the cutting insert cartridge receiving aperture 20 as anassembly thereof. The set screw 30 may then be tightened to provide theabove described clamping action between the internal threads 40 of thesplit bushing means 22 and the external threads 48 in the first portion50 of the stud seat means 24.

In some applications it may be desirable to provide additional restraintfor retaining the split bushing means 22 in the cutting insert cartridgereceiving aperture 20 of the body member 14 of the tool means 12.Therefore, there may be provided a retaining means generally designated82 which, for example, may be a snap ring for bearing against the outeror second end surface 36 of the split bushing means 22.

As noted above, the means for threading the stud seat means 24 into thesplit bushing means 22 may comprise the internal hex wrench flats 80.However, FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment generally designated 90of a stud seat means generally designated 24' which is generally similarto the stud seat means 24 described above except that the externalsurface 48' thereof which has a first threaded portion 50' and a secondthreaded portion 52 prime for the purposes as described above inconnection with the first threaded portion 50 and seconded threadedportion 52 of the stud seat means 24, is also provided with a shoulder84 having a wrench flats 86 which, for example, may be a pair of opposedflat surfaces or the shoulder 84 may be in the form of a conventionalhex to allow positioning of a wrench thereon so that the stud seat means24' may be inserted into the appropriate split bushing means.

In the embodiment 16 of the cutting tool cartridge as described above itcan be seen that the thread diameter of the first portion 50 and secondportion 52 of the threaded external surface 48 of the stud seat means 24are the same. However, according to the principles of the presentinvention and one of the advantages thereof is that the same splitbushing means 22 may be utilized with a variety of stud seat means inwhich different size cutting insert means 26 may be utilized. In FIG. 6there is illustrated another embodiment generally designated 100 of astud seat means 24" in which the external surface 48" thereof isthreaded but the first portion 50" thereof has a diameter D1 which issmaller than the thread diameter D2 of the second thread portion 52".Thus, a larger cutting insert may be installed in the stud seat means48" by an appropriately double sized clamping nut means and may still beinserted in the same split bushing means 22 described above. Similarly,the first diameter D1 may be larger than the second diameter D2,depending upon the particular application desired.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the cutting insert means 26 ispreferably free of walls defining an axially extending aperturetherethrough. While cutting inserts having such an aperture may beutilized, in preferred embodiments of the present invention the absenceof such an aperture prevents chips generated during the cuttingoperation from pentrating into the stud seat means 24 and thereforeinterferring with the desired cutting operation.

As can be seen most clearly from FIG. 4 the insert end 72 of theclamping nut means 28 is smaller than the medial plane 56 of the cuttinginsert 26 and the clamping walls 78 of the clamping nut means 28 engagethe flank surface 62 of the cutting insert means 26 in regions adjacentthe medial plane 56. Similarly, the matching walls 54 of the stud seatmeans 24 engage the mounting walls 64 of the cutting insert means 76 inregions adjacent to medial plane 56.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated the position of a zero plane. In thecutting tool art adjustments of the cutting insert 26 in the axialdirection are made in reference to this zero plane. The zero plane may,of course, be any plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation96 of the cutting tool 10. Adjustment of the cutting edge 68 of thecutting insert 26 with reference to the axial direction to the zeroplane may be made to a much higher degree of accuracy according to theprinciples of the present invention. By threading each of the cuttinginsert cartridge assemblies 26 into and out of the split bushing means22 high precision in positioning of the cutting edge 68 of each of thecutting inserts 26 may be achieved. It will be appreciated that suchprecision may also be achieved in those applications in which a singlecutting insert means is utilized in an appropriate cutting tool. It hasbeen found that accuracy of the positioning of each of the cutting edges68 of the cutting insert means 26.

In some applications of the present invention it is desirable to providecoolant flow adjacent to the cutting edge 68 of the cutting insert 26during operation of the cutting tool 12. FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustratearrangements for providing such a coolant flow in a cutting tool havinga fixed cutting insert means similar to that described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 through 6.

In the embodiment 120 shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 the split bushing means22, set screw 30 and cutting insert means 26 may be the same asdescribed above. However, there is provided a stud seat means generallydesignated 24'" that is generally similar to the stud seat means of 24described above and has, for example, the internal hex wrenching walls80. Alternatively, there may be aperture walls 80' (as shown on FIG. 5)defining a circular or other shaped aperture instead of the hexwrenching aperture as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the matchingsurface 54' of the stud seat means 24'" is provided with walls generallydesignated 122 defining a plurality of channels generally designated 124extending axially providing communication between the axial aperture andregions external the insert end 46'. In the embodiment 120 there arefour such channels 124.

The clamping nut means 28' also has walls generally designated 126defining a plurality of channels 128 in the clamping wall 78' thereof.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cutting tool 12' having thebody member 14' is provided with an coolant dispensing means such thatcoolant flows in the direction indicated by the arrows 130 into thecentral aperture defined by the walls 80 of the stud seat means 24",through the channels 124 in the stud seat means 24'", around the medialplane 56 of the cutting insert means 26 and through the channels 128 inthe clamping wall 78' of the clamping nut means 28'. As illustrated ingreater detail in FIG. 9, which is an enlargement of the Section 9 shownon FIG. 8, there is provided a generally annular volume generallydesignated 132 between regions adjacent the medial plane 56 of thecutting insert 26 and is bounded by the clamping nut means 28' and thestud seat means 24'". The coolant flows through the annular volume 132from the channels 124 and into the channels 128. The coolant then exitsfrom the channels 128 immediately adjacent to the cutting edge 68 of thecutting insert 26 to provide coolant flow directly on the work piece(not shown) at the position of cut. If desired, the circumferentialextent of each of the channels 128 may be different, for examplesmaller, than the circumferential extent of each of the channels 124.Alternatively, they may be the same size.

In some applications it may be desirable not to provide the channels 124in the matching surface 54' of the stud seat means 24'". In such anembodiment a cutting insert means 26' as illustrated in FIG. 10 may beutilized to provide the desired coolant flow. In such embodiment asillustrated in FIG. 10 the cutting insert 26' has a mounting end 60' anda mounting surface 64'. The mounting surface 64' is provided with wallsgenerally designated 136 defining a plurality of channels 138 therein.It will be appreciated that in utilizing the cutting insert means 26',it is not reversible and only one cutting edge is provided. The channels138 allow coolant flow past the equatorial plane 56' of the cuttinginsert means 26' and in through the appropriate channels 128 in theclamping nut 28' when the cutting insert 26' is utilized in an assemblyas illustrated in FIG. 9 instead of the cutting insert 26 and the studseat means 24 of FIG. 3 as utilized therein instead of the stud seatmeans 24'".

It will be appreciated that the cutting insert 26 or 26' as may bedesired, can be conveniently indexed by merely loosening the clampingnut 28 or 28', rotating the cutting insert and then re-tightening theclamping nut. Further, the tapered flank surface and mounting surface ofthe frustum shaped cutting inserts utilized in preferred embodiments ofthe invention become "self-seating" in the stud seat means and theclamping nut means. Thus, high precision and costly high tolerancemachining of the various parts can be eliminated because of thisself-aligning feature.

As noted above in some cutting tool applications, it is desirable thatthe cutting insert means rotate during the cutting operation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention generallydesignated 150 in which a rotating cutting insert is provided. In theembodiment 150 the cutting tool 12 is provided having a body member 14.The body member 14 has walls defining an internal cartridge receivingaperture 20 therein. It will be appreciated that one or more suchcutting insert cartridge receiving aperture 20 may be provided in anytool body 14. A set screw receiving aperture 31 similar to the set screwreceiving aperture 31 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to receive a set screw 30for the purposes as described above in connection with, for example, theembodiment 16. A retaining means such as the snap ring 82 may also beprovided to retain the split bushing means 22 in the cutting insertcartridge receiving aperture 20 of the body member 14.

A bearing means 152 has an external surface 154 having a threadedportion extending from an inner end 156 to define a first threadedportion generally designated 158. A second shoulder portion 160 isadjacent the outer end 162. The shoulder portion 160 may, for example,be a hex wrench flat configuration to allow threading insertion of thebearing means 152 into the split bushing means 22 so that the firstthreaded portion 158 of the bearing means 152 threadingly engages theinternal threaded surface of the split bushing means 22.

The bearing means 152 also has a tapered bearing surface 164 extendingfrom the outer end 162 inwardly towards the cutting insert cartridgeaxis 166 at the inner end 156.

A spindle means generally designated 168 is co-axially mountable in thebearing means 152 and has an insert end generally designated 170 and aninterior end generally designated 172. The interior end 172 has a thrustbearing mounting portion 174 on which there is mounted a thrust bearingmeans generally designated 176. The spindle means also has a firstthreaded portion generally designated 178 at the insert end 170 whichserves the same function as the second threaded portion 52 of the studseat means 24 of the embodiment 16 described above for threadingengagement with a clamping nut means 28. Similarly, the insert end 170of the spindle means 152 is also provided with internal matching walls180 which are the same as the matching walls 54 of the stud seat means24 of the embodiment 16 described above for receiving a cutting insert26 thereagainst.

The spindle means 168 also has an external bearing surface 182 forengaging the internal bearing surface 164 of the bearing means 152 forrelative rotary motion therebetween about the axis 166. The externalbearing surface 182 extends from a second boss portion 184 of thespindle means 168 to the thrust bearing mounting portion 174 thereof.The second boss portion 184 is intermediate the external bearing surface182 and the first threaded portion 178. The second boss portion may, forexample, have wrench flats thereon so that the spindle means 168 may beheld stationary while the clamping nut 28 is loosened or tightened toallow insertion or clamping of the cutting insert 26. The spindle meansend 190 of the clamping nut means 28 is the same as the stud seat meansend 70 described above.

The thrust bearing means comprises a thrust retainer generallydesignated 192, a conical spring washer 194 which, for example, may beof a Belleville washer, and a thrust bearing generally designated 196.Anti-rotation means are provided by, for example, having a flat surfaceextending axially on the thrust bearing portion 174 of the spindle means168 and a corresponding flat on the thrust retainer 192, spring washer194 and thrust bearing 196. Alternatively, the external surface of thethrust bearing mounting portion 174 of the spindle means 168 may bethreaded and the thrust retainer 192 provided with internal threads forthreading engagement with the external threads on the thrust bearingmounting portion 174 of the spindle means 168. The thrust retainer maythen, for example, be welded into place when the desired compression ofthe conical spring washer 194 is achieved upon assembly of the cuttinginsert cartridge of this embodiment.

To provide better rotation characteristics, in preferred embodiments ofthe present invention the bearing surfaces of the spindle means 168,bearing means 152 and the bearing surface 198 of the thrust bearing 196may be coated with a hard facing bearing material such as those selectedfrom the class consisting of titanium nitrite, silicone nitride, boron,titanium carbide, silicone carbide, ceramic, or the like.

It will be appreciated that the diameter of the first threaded portion178 of the spindle means 168 may be made larger or smaller than thediameter of the first threaded portion 158 of the bearing means 152 inorder that larger or smaller cutting inserts 26 may be utilized in thesame cutting tool 12 as desired.

Thus, during rotation of the cutting tool 12 about the axis 200 in adirection indicated by the arrow 202, the cutting insert 26 may rotateabout the axis 166 in the direction indicated by the arrow 204. It willbe appreciated that axial adjustment towards and away from a zero plane(not shown) similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 may be achieved bythreading adjustment of the bearing means 152 in the split bushing means22.

FIG. 12 illustrates another enbodiment of the present inventiongenerally designated 210, substantially similar to the enbodiment 150except that it incorporates a coolant flow such as that described abovein connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, the tool means 12' has a coolantdispensing means for dispensing coolant in the directions indicated bythe arrow 130 through an aperture 212. The spindle means 168' isprovided with internal walls designated 212 defining an axial aperture214 through which the coolant flows. In this embodiment the spindlemeans 168' has walls defining channels 124' and the clamping nut 28' haschannels 128 therein as illustrated in FIG. 9 to allow the flow of thecoolant therefrom adjacent the cutting insert means 26.

It will be appreciated, of course, that a clamping nut 28 may beutilized in the embodiment 210 and a cutting insert 26' as illustratedin FIG. 10 may be utilized in conjunction therewith.

As noted above in connection with the description of FIG. 1, axialmovement of the cutting insert in the tool to provide precisionadjustment with respect to the zero plane is achieved by threadingmovement of the stud seat means in the split bushing means, or,alternatively, for the embodiments 150 and 210 the movement of thebearing means with respect to the split bushing means. In someapplications, however, it is desired to provide a means for radialpositioning of the cutting insert. By providing both radial positioningmeans and axial positioning means it will be appreciated that a highdegree of positioning of the cutting insert with respect to, forexample, the center line of a tool, may be achieved. FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate an embodiment generally designated 240 of a split bushingmeans 22' generally similar to the split bushing means 22 describedabove. However, in the split bushing means 22' the internal threadedsurface thereof generally designated 40' is not co-axial along the axis32 of outside surface 38' but is eccentric with respect thereto alongthe axis 242 which is spaced parallel to the axis 32 but a distance Dtherefrom. This eccentric arrangement provides a thicker wall of thesplit bushing means in regions generally designated 244 as compared withthe thickness of the wall in the regions generally designated 246. Itwill be appreciated that by proper positioning of the split bushingmeans 22' in the cartridge receiving apertures 20 of the tool 12 or 12'a desired radial position may be obtained. It will be appreciated thatthe total radial adjustment thus permitted is twice the dimension D andcan be achieved in the direction indicated in the double-ended arrow248.

In other embodiments of the present invention a rack means generallydesignated 250 may be provided on the external surface 38' of the splitbushing means 22' in extending, as shown, 90 degrees. A pinion drivegenerally designated 252 and illustrated in FIG. 13 in schematic formmay be included in the tool means 12 or 12' for rotating the splitbushing means 22' about the axis 32 to provide the radial movement inthe direction of the arrow 248. The split bushing means 22' may, ofcourse, as noted, be utilized in both the fixed cutting insertembodiments of the present invention as well as the rotating cuttinginsert embodiments of the present invention.

In addition to the coolant flow means arrangements as described above,it has been found that in some applications it may not be desirable toprovide the channels in the clamping nut means and/or the spindle meansand/or the stud seat means. In such embodiments a cutting insert similarto the cutting insert 26 prime illustrated in FIG. 10 may be utilized.However, such cutting insert would have channels cut in both themounting surface and the flank surface. As illustrated in FIG. 15, thereis provided a cutting insert generally designated 260 according to theprinciples of the present invention. The cutting insert 260 is generallysimilar to the cutting inserts 26 and 26' described above having amedial plane 262, a cutting end 264, having a cutting edge 266 and aflank surface 268 extending between the medial plane and the cuttingedge 266. A mounting end 270 is spaced from the medial plane 262 andthere is provided a mounting surface 272 extending between the medialplane 262 and the mounting end 270. The cutting insert 260 has walls 274defining interconnected channels 276 in the flank surface 268 and 278 inthe mounting surface 272. The channels 276 and 278 do not extend to thecutting edge 266 or the mounting edge 270. Further, in embodimentsutilizing the cutting insert means 260 it is preferred that the regionadjacent the end wall 278' of the channel 278 be left free of engagementwith the stud seat means or spindle means as the case may be to allowthe flow of coolant therein and that the portion of the channels 274 inregions adjacent the end wall 274' thereof be left free of engagementwith the clamping nut 28 to allow the flow of coolant from the channels274 and on to the cutting edge 266 during the cutting operation.

From the above it can be seen that there has been provided an improvedcutting tool cartridge arrangement that can provide a high degree ofaxial and if desired axial and radial positioning accuracy, as composedof comparatively few parts and may be utilized interchangeably in bothrotating cutting insert and fixed cutting insert applications.Accordingly, the following claims are intended to cover all variationsand adaptations thereof falling within the true scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved cutting tool cartridge arrangementcomprising, in combination:an annular bushing means having apredetermined axis, a first end surface and second end surface and saidsecond end surface axially spaced a predetermined distance from saidfirst end surface, an outside surface, a threaded inside surface, a pairof spaced apart walls defining a slot extending axially from said firstend surface to said second end surface and radially from said outsidesurface to said inside surface, and said pair of spaced apart wallshaving limited resilient movement towards and away from each other; studseat means mountable in said bushing means and having a mounting end andan insert end, an outside surface extending axially from said mountingend to said insert end, said outside surface having a first threadedportion extending axially a first preselected distance from saidmounting end for threading engagement with said threaded inside surfaceof said bushing means, and a second threaded portion extending from saidinsert end, and said insert end having an internal cutting insertmatching wall surface; cutting insert means mountable in said insert endof said stud seat means and having a medial plane, a cutting edge endand a mounting end spaced axially a predetermined distance from saidcutting edge end, an external flank surface tapering inwardly from saidmedial plane to said cutting edge end, an external mounting surfacetapering inwardly from said medial plane to said mounting end, saidmounting surface of said cutting insert means positionable contiguoussaid matching surface of said stud seat means; and a clamping nut meanshaving a stud seat means end and a clamping end, first walls extendingfrom said stud seat means end defining an internal threaded surface forthreading engagement with said second threaded portion of said stud seatmeans, second walls extending from said insert end defining an internalclamping surface for clamping engagement with said flank surface of saidcutting insert; whereby said cutting insert is rigidly clamped betweensaid clamping nut means and said stud seat means.
 2. The arrangementdefined in claim 1, wherein:said first threaded portion has a firstdiameter and said second threaded portion has a second diameterdifferent than said first diameter.
 3. The arrangement defined in claim2, wherein:said second diameter is larger than said first diameter. 4.The arrangement defined in claim 2, wherein:said second diameter issmaller than said first diameter.
 5. The arrangement defined in claim 2,wherein:said stud seat means further comprises:means for threading saidfirst threaded portion into said threaded inside surface of said bushingmeans.
 6. The arrangement defined in claim 5, wherein:said means forthreading comprises wrench walls defining a hex wrench aperatureextending from regions adjacent said insert end towards said mountingend thereof.
 7. The arrangement defined in claim 5, wherein:said meansfor threading comprises wrench flats on said external surface of saidstud seat means intermediate said first threaded portion and said secondthreaded portion.
 8. The arrangement defined in claim 1, wherein:saidclamping walls of said clamping nut engage said flank surface of saidcutting insert means in regions adjacent said medial plane of saidcutting insert means.
 9. The arrangement defined in claim 1,wherein:said matching walls of said stud seat means engage said mountingsurface of said cutting insert means in regions adjacent said medialplane of said cutting insert.
 10. The arrangement defined in claim 1,wherein:said cutting insert is a nonapertured free of walls defining anaxial aperature there through.
 11. The arrangement defined in claim 1,wherein:said insert end of said clamping nut is smaller than said medialplane of said cutting insert.
 12. The arrangement defined in claim 1,wherein:said stud seat means has internal walls defining a internalaperture extending from said mounting end to said insert end to providecommunication between regions external said mounting end and saidinternal cutting insert matching wall surface thereof; said cuttinginsert matching wall surface of said stud seat means further compriseschannel walls defining a plurality of axially extending channelstherein; and said clamping surface of said clamping nut means furthercomprises channel walls defining axially extending channels therein. 13.The arrangement defined in claim 12, wherein:the peripheralcircumferential extent of each of said channels in said matching wall ofsaid stud seat means is greater than the peripheral circumferentialextent of said channels in said clamping surface of said clamping nutmeans.
 14. The arrangement defined in claim 1, wherein:said stud seatmeans has internal walls defining an internal aperature extending fromsaid mounting end to said insert end to provide communication betweenregions external said mounting end and said internal cutting insertmatching wall surface thereof; and said mounting surface of said cuttinginsert means further comprises walls defining a plurality of channelmeans extending from said medial plane to said mounting end andproviding communication therebetween; said clamping surface of saidclamping nut means further comprises channel walls defining a pluralityof axially extending channels therein.
 15. An improved cutting toolarrangement comprising, in combination:a body member having of firstwalls defining at least one cutting tool cartridge receiving aperturemeans therein; second walls defining a threaded set screw receivingaperture means providing communication from regions external said bodymeans to said at least one cartridge receiving aperture means; a cuttingtool cartridge mountable in said cutting tool cartridge receivingaperture means of said body member, and said cutting tool cartridgefurther comprising:an annular bushing means having a predetermined axis,a first end surface and second end surface and said second end surfaceaxially spaced a predetermined distance from said first end surface, anoutside surface, a threaded inside surface, a pair of spaced apart wallsdefining a slot extending axially from said first end surface to saidsecond end surface and radially from said outside surface to said insidesurface, and said pair of spaced apart walls having limited resilientmovement towards and away from each other; stud seat means mountable insaid bushing means and having a mounting end and an insert end, anoutside surface extending axially from said mounting end to said insertend, said outside surface having a first threaded portion extendingaxially a first preselected distance from said mounting end forthreading engagement with said threaded inside surface of said bushingmeans, and a second threaded portion extending from said insert end, andsaid insert end having an internal cutting insert matching wall surface;cutting insert means mountable in said insert end of said stud seatmeans and having a medial plane, a cutting edge end and a mounting endspaced axially a predetermined distance from said cutting edge end, anexternal flank surface tapering inwardly from said medial plane to saidcutting edge end, an external mounting surface tapering inwardly fromsaid medial plane to said mounting end, said mounting surface of saidcutting insert means positionable contiguous said matching surface ofsaid stud seat means; and a clamping nut means having a stud seat meansend and a clamping end, first walls extending from said stud seat meansand defining an internal threaded surface for threading engagement withsaid second threaded portion of said stud seat means, second wallsextending from said insert end defining an internal clamping surface forclamping engagement with said flank surface of said cutting insert;whereby said cutting insert is rigidly clamped between said clamping nutmeans and said stud seat means; retaining means for retaining said splitbushing means and said aperture of said body means; set screw means insaid set screw receiving aperture for engagement with said outer surfaceof said bushing means to force said opposed walls thereof towards eachother.
 16. The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said firstthreaded portion has a first diameter and said second threaded portionhas a second diameter different than said first diameter.
 17. Thearrangement defined in claim 16, wherein:said second diameter is largerthan said first diameter.
 18. The arrangement defined in claim 16,wherein:said second diameter is smaller than said first diameter. 19.The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said stud seat meansfurther comprises:means for threading said first threaded portion intosaid threaded inside surface of said bushing means.
 20. The arrangementdefined in claim 15, wherein:said cutting insert is a nonapertured freeof walls defining an axial aperture there through.
 21. The arrangementdefined in claim 15, wherein:said insert end of said clamping nut issmaller than said medial plane of said cutting insert.
 22. Thearrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said clamping walls of saidclamping nut engage said flank surface of said cutting insert means inregions adjacent said medial plane of said cutting insert means.
 23. Thearrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said matching walls of saidstud seat means engage said mounting surface of said cutting insertmeans in regions adjacent said medial plane of said cutting insert. 24.The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said means for threadingcomprises wrench walls defining a hex wrench aperture extending fromregions adjacent said insert end towards said mounting end thereof. 25.The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said means for threadingcomprises of wrench flats on said external surface of said stud seatmeans intermediate said first threaded portion and said second threadedportion.
 26. The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said stud seatmeans has internal walls defining an internal aperture extending fromsaid mounting end to said insert end to provide communication betweenregions external said mounting end and said internal cutting insertmatching wall surface thereof; said cutting insert matching wall surfaceof said stud seat means further comprises channel walls defining aplurality of axially extending channels therein; and said clampingsurface of said clamping nut means further comprises channel wallsdefining axially extending channels therein.
 27. The arrangement definedin claim 26, wherein:the peripheral circumferential extent of each ofsaid channels in said matching wall of said stud seat means is greaterthan the peripheral circumferential extent of said channels in saidclamping surface of said clamping nut means.
 28. The arrangement definedin claim 26 and further comprising:coolant dispensing means fordispensing coolant throught said aperture in said stud seat means,through said channels in said matching wall of said stud seat means, andthrough said channels in said clamping surface of said clamping nutmeans.
 29. The arrangement defined in claim 15, wherein:said stud seatmeans has internal walls defining a internal aperture extending fromsaid mounting end to said insert end to provide communication betweenregions external said mounting end and said internal cutting insertmatching wall surface thereof; said mounting surface of said cuttinginsert means further comprises walls defining a plurality of channelmeans extending from said medial plane to said mounting end andproviding communication therebetween; and said clamping surface of saidclamping nut means further comprises channel walls defining a pluralityof axially extending channels therein.
 30. The arrangement defined inclaim 28, wherein:said body means further comprises coolant dispensingmeans for dispensing coolant fluid through said aperture in said studseat means, through said channels in said mounting surface of saidcutting insert means and through said channels in said clamping surfaceof said clamping nut means.